SPAIN: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Santiago de Compostela, in winter a campus and in summer a pilgrimage town is a really lively and warm city despite its rainy weather. Always full of young people, the atmosphere is always cheerful, especially in the many bars and restaurants where you can enjoy delicious Galician food.

Pilgrims in Obradoiro in front of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

The obradoiro exudes a magical attraction that forces you to walk through it whenever you're around. I couldn't help admiring the cathedral and the other buildings of this huge plaza: the Parador (ancient pilgrim hospital), the Pazo de Raxoi and the College of San Jerónimo.

Around the cathedral there are several places where there is a fantastic atmosphere, and pedestrian arcaded streets ideal for walking and the great monastery of San Martín Pinario.

So in Santiago de Compostela I visited the following places:

• Cathedral of Santiago (and its roofs)
• Obradoiro (Pazo de Raxoi and College of San Jerónimo)
• Parador (also in Obradoiro)
• Squares of Praterías, Quintana and Inmaculada around the cathedral
• Monastery of San Martín Pinario
• Rúa do Vilar, Rúa do Franco and Rúa Nova
• Alameda Park (views of the cathedral)

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela cathedral from La Alameda

 Towers of the baroque cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Obradoiro

Pilgrims in Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela

Pazo de Raxoi and shell of The Way of Saint James in Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela

Parador of Santiago de Compostela in Obradoiro

Inside the Parador of Santiago de Compostela

College of San Jerónimo in Obradorio

Rua do Vilar in Santiago de Compostela

Rua do Vilar in Santiago de Compostela

San Martin Pinario

Church of San Martín Pinario Monastery in Santiago de Compostela

Roof of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Roof of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

San Martín Pinario from the roof of the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Botafumeiro inside the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

A Casa do Medio Restaurant

Glass of Albariño white wine in A Casa do Medio restaurant in Santiago de Compostela

Definitely, Santiago is a city with an amazing life perfect to enjoy its rich culture and cuisine. A perfect end to El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James.

After spending two days in Santiago de Compostela, we visited beautiful places and beaches in Galicia, like Fisterra and Costa da Morte, Baiona or Rodas Beach in Cíes Islands National Park. Then we went to Valença do Minho and Tui to begin El Camino de Santiago Portugués (The Portuguese Way of Saint James), which led us back to Santiago six days later. 

Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:

- Catalonia

• Costa Brava in Catalonia
• Barcelona
• Girona

- Basque Country

• Bilbo - Bilbao
• Getaria, Zarautz and Hondarribia in San Sebastián

- Cantabria

• Cantabria
• Santander, Comillas and Santillana del Mar in Cantabria

- Granada

• La Alhambra, Albaicín and Sacromonte in Granada

- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

• Sevilla
• Córdoba
• Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

- Toledo, Madrid, El Escorial and Segovia

• Toledo, Segovia, Monasterio del Escorial near Madrid

- Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera

• Sóller, Port de Sóller, Deià and Valldemossa in Mallorca
• Palma de Mallorca

• Beaches and Las Dalias Market in Ibiza
• Ses Illetes beach in Formentera

- Zaragoza, La Rioja and Navarra were:

• Monasterio de Piedra near Zaragoza (Tapeo in Zaragoza)
• Haro in La Rioja
• Laguardia in La Rioja Alavesa
• Camino de Santiago Francés
• Tarazona, Veruela Monastery and Sanctuary of Borja
• Sanctuary of Borja

- Alicante

• Alicante, Elche and Isla de Tabarca